Comprehensive system and method of universal real-time linking of real objects to a machine, network, internet, or software service

ABSTRACT

A system for detecting placement or misplacement of an object, comprising: a wireless tag; a first set of instructions which cause a first electronic device (“FED”) associated with the tag to automatically detect signals from the tag, determine a position of the FED, transmit the position and status to an external electronic device (“EED”) in response to the status indicating that the tag and the FED are within a predetermined range, and transmit the position and status to the EED in response to the status indicating that the tag and the FED are outside of the predetermined range; a second set of instructions which cause a second electronic device (“SED”) that is unassociated with the tag to automatically detect signals from the tag, determine a position of the SED, determine an identifier for the tag using the signals, and transmit the position and the identifier to the EED.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/156,726,filed May 17, 2016, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.14/617,240, filed Feb. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,366,746, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/754,607,filed Jan. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,981,938, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/608,429 filed Mar. 8, 2012, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to a method of bidirectional linking, connecting,communicating, and tracking objects, and in particular to a method oftracking the position and status of objects using a wireless tagassociated with the object and/or an RF-enabled object.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A wireless tag to be associated with the object to be linked, tracked,or both is disclosed along with an electronic device for communicatingwith the tag and updating the information to an external device, such asa computer, network, or the cloud. Information such as, but not limitedto time, position (including latitude, longitude, and altitude), speed,direction, temperature, and identification can be transmitted for eitherreal-time linking/tracking and analysis, or a historical view. In oneembodiment, the electronic device for communicating with the tag is acellular phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a pair ofelectronic glasses, or a watch.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a wireless tag for determining theposition of an attached physical object or status of an environment inwhich the tag is placed is disclosed. In one embodiment, the wirelesstag includes a power source for providing electrical power to thewireless tag, a radio transmitter and receiver system for wirelesslyexchanging data and command with an electronic device, and a userinterface including at least one input and at least one output, whereinthe electronic device determines the location or status of theelectronic device and a status of whether the distance between theelectronic device and wireless tag exceeds a predetermined distance andwirelessly communicates data including the time, the location of theelectronic device (including latitude, longitude, and altitude), speedand the status. In another embodiment, the electronic devicecommunicates data to the network at predetermined period intervalsand/or upon the initiation of a predetermined event. In still anotherembodiment, the wireless tag has a thickness of about 10 mm or less, andin another embodiment about 6 mm or less. In yet another embodiment, thecommunication between the tag and electronic device is encrypted. In yetstill another embodiment the wireless tag includes one or more sensorshaving an output reading. In another embodiment, a plurality of tags isprovided.

In a second exemplary embodiment a system for tracking the position ofan object is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes awireless tag including a first radio transmitter and receiver system anda user interface including at least one input and at least one output;an electronic device includes a second radio transmitter and receiversystem in communication with the first radio transmitter and receiversystem, a user interface including at least one output, a module fordetermining the position of the electronic device, a module fordetermining the distance or proximity and/or direction of the tag fromthe device and also for determining a status of whether the distancebetween the electronic device and wireless tag exceeds a predetermineddistance, and a data transmitter for transmitting commands and dataincluding the position of the electronic device and status of thedistance between the electronic device and wireless tag; and an externaldevice receiving the data transmitted by the data transmitter andstoring the data in a computer readable storage medium. In anotherembodiment, the system includes a second (3rd, 4th, . . . , nth)wireless tag secured to a second (3rd, 4th, . . . , nth) object to belinked or tracked, the second wireless tag including a third radiotransmitter and receiver system; and a user interface including at leastone input and one output; wherein the second radio transmitter andreceiver system is in communication with the third radio transmitter andreceiver system, the electronic device includes a module for determiningthe distance or proximity and/or direction of the tag from the phone andalso for determining a second status of whether the distance between theelectronic device and second wireless tag exceeds a second predetermineddistance, and the data transmitter for transmits data including thesecond status.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a method for monitoring the location ofan object is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes securinga wireless tag to the object, wherein the wireless tag includes a firstradio transmitter and receiver system for transmitting and receiving aradio frequency signal; providing a first identification for thewireless tag; associating the wireless tag with an electronic device,wherein the electronic device includes a second radio transmitter andreceiver system for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signaland the electronic device is capable of determining the position of theelectronic device; determining the position of the electronic device;providing a second identification for the electronic device; receivingwith the second radio transmitter and receiver system the radiofrequency signal from first radio transmitter and receiver system;determining with the electronic device the distance or proximity and/ordirection of the tag from the phone and also a status of whether thedistance between the wireless tag and the electronic device exceeds apredetermined distance based at least in part on the strength or absenceof the radio frequency signal; and transmitting data including the firstidentification, the second identification, the time, the speed, theposition of the electronic device, and the status to an external device.In another embodiment, the radio transmitter and receiver systems areBluetooth transceivers and the tag has a thickness of about 10 mm orless or about 6 mm or less. In still another embodiment, the wirelesstag includes an alarm and the second Bluetooth transceiver sends asignal to the first Bluetooth transceiver to activate the alarm or carryout any other predetermined action or command when the status changesbecause the predetermined distance was exceeded. Alarming or carryingout other actions or commands, could also be initiated by the user, bydemand, from any part of the overall system (tag, phone, cloud).

In a fourth exemplary embodiment, a method of preventing the loss and/ortheft of an object is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includesattaching a wireless tag to the object, the wireless tag including afirst radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequencysignal and a tag alarm; associating the wireless tag with an electronicdevice, the electronic device including a second radio transceiver fortransmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal and a device alarm,wherein the electronic device is capable of determining the position ofthe electronic device; providing an allowable distance or range;monitoring the radio frequency signal from the first radio transceiverreceived by the second radio transceiver and activating the device alarmif the radio frequency signal is broken; monitoring the radio frequencysignal from the second radio transceiver received by the first radiotransceiver and activating the tag alarm as well as an alarm (or otheroutputs like light) on the electronic device if the radio frequencysignal is broken; and determining with the electronic device a status ofwhether the distance between the wireless tag and the electronic deviceexceeds the allowable distance or range based at least in part on thestrength or absence of the radio frequency signal; wherein theelectronic device activates at least one of the tag alarm and devicealarm, determines the position of the electronic device and saves themon the device and wirelessly transmits data including the time, thespeed and the position of the electronic device to an external device ifthe distance exceeds the allowable distance or range. In anotherembodiment, the method includes wirelessly transmitting data andcommands to the external device including the time and position of theelectronic device each time the determining step is performed or bydemand.

In a fifth exemplary embodiment, a method of initiating commands isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a wirelesstag including a first radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving aradio frequency signal and a tag alarm; associating the wireless tagwith an electronic device, the electronic device including a secondradio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequencysignal and a device alarm, wherein the electronic device is capable ofdetermining the position of the electronic device; providing apredetermined action(s) to be taken upon receiving a predetermined radiofrequency signal (or a combination of signals); transmitting thepredetermined radio frequency signal from one of the first radiotransceiver and second radio transceiver; receiving the predeterminedradio frequency signal with the other of the first radio transceiver andsecond radio transceiver; and taking the predetermined action. Inanother embodiment, the method is directed to locating an object bysounding an alarm attached to the object or similarly locating theelectronic device by activating its alarm (or triggering other outputmethods).

In a sixth exemplary embodiment, a method of providing a panic alert isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a wirelesstag including a first radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving aradio frequency signal and a tag alarm; associating the wireless tagwith an electronic device, the electronic device including a secondradio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequencysignal, and a device alarm, wherein the electronic device is capable ofdetermining the position of the electronic device; transmitting apredetermined radio frequency signal from one of the first and secondradio transceivers; receiving the predetermined radio frequency signalwith the other of the first and second radio transceivers; activatingthe tag alarm and device alarm; determining the position of theelectronic device; transmitting data including the time, the speed andthe position of the electronic device to an external device, carryingout commands/actions on the device and sending commands to thenetwork/cloud; and transmitting data including the time and the positionof the electronic device to a predetermined contact(s). In anotherembodiment, the predetermined contact selected from a list of contactsbased at least in part on the position of the electronic device.

In a seventh exemplary embodiment, a method of utilizing a series ofwireless tags in a promotion, advertising, education, training or gamingembodiment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includesproviding a plurality of tags, each tag including a tag radiotransceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal;providing an allowable distance or range and unique identification foreach of the plurality of tags; associating each of the plurality of tagswith a first electronic device, the first electronic device including aradio transceiver for communicating with the tag radio transceiver;spacing apart the plurality of tags; approaching a first of theplurality of tags with a second electronic device, the second electronicdevice including a radio transceiver for communicating with the tagradio transceiver and a user interface; determining with the secondelectronic device a status of whether the distance between the wirelesstag and the electronic device is less than the allowable distance orrange based at least in part on the strength or absence of the radiofrequency signal; providing an alert on the user interface andtransmitting with the second electronic device data including the timeand tag identification to an external device if the determining stepdetermines that the distance between the wireless tag and the electronicdevice is less than the allowable distance or range. In anotherembodiment, the method includes providing a category for each of theplurality of tags and transmitting the category to the external deviceif the determining step determines that the distance between thewireless tag and the electronic device is less than the allowabledistance or range.

In an eight exemplary embodiment, a method of monitoring a patient in ahealth care facility is disclosed. In one embodiment, the methodincludes attaching a wireless tag to the patient, the wireless tagincluding a first radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving aradio frequency signal and a tag alarm; associating the wireless tagwith an electronic device, the electronic device including a secondradio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequencysignal and a device alarm, wherein the electronic device is capable ofdetermining the position of the electronic device; providing anallowable distance or range; monitoring the radio frequency signal fromthe first radio transceiver received by the second radio transceiver andactivating the device alarm if the radio frequency signal is broken;monitoring the radio frequency signal from the second radio transceiverreceived by the first radio transceiver and activating the tag alarm ifthe radio frequency signal is broken; and determining with theelectronic device a status of whether the distance between the wirelesstag and the electronic device exceeds the allowable distance or rangebased at least in part on the strength or absence of the radio frequencysignal; wherein the electronic device activates at least one of the tagalarm and device alarm, determines the position of the electronic deviceand wirelessly transmits data including the time, the temperature, andthe position of the electronic device to an external device if thedistance exceeds the allowable distance or range. In another embodiment,the method includes saving locally (on the device) and wirelesslytransmitting data to the external device including the time and positionand speed of the electronic device each time the determining step isperformed.

In a ninth exemplary embodiment, a method of monitoring the position ofa participant in an athletic event is disclosed. In one embodiment, themethod includes securing a wireless tag to the participant, wherein thewireless tag includes a first radio transceiver for transmitting andreceiving a radio frequency signal; providing a first identification forthe wireless tag; associating the wireless tag with a plurality ofelectronic devices, wherein each of the electronic devices includes aclock, and a device radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving aradio frequency signal; and providing an identification and apredetermined distance or range for each of the electronic devices;wherein, for each electronic device, determining with the electronicdevice a status of whether the distance between the wireless tag and theelectronic device is less than the predetermined distance based at leastin part on the strength or absence of the radio frequency signal andtransmitting to an external device the electronic device identification,the time, and the status of whether the distance between the wirelesstag and the electronic device is less or more than the predetermineddistance In another embodiment, the wireless tag includes an alarm andthe device radio transceiver sends a signal to the wireless tag toactivate the alarm or carrying out other commands/actions on the deviceand sending commands to the external device if the distance between thewireless tag and the electronic device is less than the predetermineddistance. In another embodiment, the speed of the participant betweentwo points is communicated to an external device.

In a tenth exemplary embodiment, a system for providing an applicationprogramming interface (API) and/or software development kit (SDK) isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a wireless tag havinga unique identification and including a power source for providingelectrical power to the wireless tag, a radio transceiver for wirelesslyexchanging potentially encrypted data with an electronic device, and auser interface including at least one input and at least one outputwherein the electronic device determines time, the speed and theposition of the electronic device and a status of whether the distancebetween the electronic device and wireless tag exceeds a predetermineddistance and wirelessly communicates data and/or commands including theposition of the electronic device, time, speed and the status; anelectronic device including a radio transceiver capable of communicatingwith the wireless tag radio transceiver, a user interface including atleast one input and one output, a module for determining the position ofthe electronic device, a module for determining a status of whether thedistance between the electronic device and wireless tag exceeds apredetermined distance, and a data transmitter for transmitting dataincluding time, speed and the position of the electronic device andstatus of the distance between the electronic device and wireless tag toan external device for storage in a computer readable storage medium; anexternal device in communication with the electronic device and wirelesstag and storing data in a computer readable storage medium transmittedby at least one of the wireless tag and electronic device; a computersystem executing an application programming interface and/or softwaredevelopment kit in communication with the external device and electronicdevice, wherein the application programming interface and/or softwaredevelopment kit provides a user interface to one of the external deviceand electronic device including an input to execute one or more commandstransmitted by radio frequency signal to the wireless tag.

In an eleventh exemplary embodiment, a method of providing a positioningservice to a customer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the methodincludes providing a plurality of wireless tags to the customer forsmall or no charge, each tag having a unique identification andincluding a power source for providing electrical power to the wirelesstag, a radio transceiver for wirelessly exchanging encrypted data withan electronic device, and a user interface including at least one inputand at least one output wherein the electronic device determines theposition of the electronic device and a status of whether the distancebetween the electronic device and wireless tag exceeds one or morepredetermined distances and wirelessly communicates data including theposition, with time and speed of the electronic device and the status;providing a computer-readable medium containing an applicationprogramming interface and/or software development kit to the customerand/or a developer, the application programming interface and/orsoftware development kit being configured to support a softwareapplication on the tag and/or the electronic device and/or the cloud,wherein the electronic device includes a radio transceiver capable ofcommunicating with the wireless tag radio transceiver, a user interfaceincluding at least one input and one output, a module for determiningthe position, the speed and time of the electronic device, a module fordetermining a status of whether the distance between the electronicdevice and wireless tag exceeds one or more predetermined distance, anda data transmitter for transmitting data including the position, withtime and speed of the electronic device and status of the distancebetween the electronic device and wireless tag to an external device forstorage in a computer readable storage medium and carrying outcommands/actions; and associating the plurality of tags with theapplication programming interface and/or software development kit for aperiodic fee or a consumption-based fee, such as based on how many tagsbeing linked, how many times data or commands are communicated or howmuch data or commands are communicated in a given period. In anotherembodiment, the method includes developing programs utilizing theapplication programming interface and/or software development kit andallowing access to the programs for a free or for a fee.

The above mentioned and other features of the invention, and the mannerof attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itselfwill be better understood by reference to the following description ofembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is explained in greater detail below in reference to thefigures. In the figures:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary method of tracking an object attachedto a wireless tag according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary wireless tag for wireless communicationwith an electronic device or network;

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary wireless tag for wireless communicationwith an electronic device or network;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary electronic device and an exemplaryexternal device for use with the wireless tag of FIGS. 1B and 1C;

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary data collected by one embodiment of thedisclosed system;

FIG. 3A illustrates exemplary data collected by one embodiment of thedisclosed system at two positions or times;

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary table storing the data collected inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary data collected by an anti-loss oranti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 4A illustrates exemplary data collected by an anti-loss oranti-theft embodiment of the disclosed system at three positions;

FIG. 4B illustrates a first exemplary table storing the data collectedin FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a second exemplary table storing the data collectedin FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in ananti-loss of anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in ananti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 5B illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in ananti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process of the disclosed system in acommand embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in apanic-alert mode embodiment;

FIG. 7A illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in apanic-alert mode embodiment;

FIG. 7B illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in apanic-alert mode embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in amarketing embodiment;

FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary process of the disclosed system in amarketing embodiment;

FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary process of the disclosed system in amarketing embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in ahealth-care embodiment;

FIG. 9A illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in ahealth-care embodiment;

FIG. 9B illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed system in ahealth-care embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process of the disclosed system in anathletic competition embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary data collected by an athletic competitionembodiment of the disclosed system;

FIG. 11A illustrates exemplary data collected by an athletic competitionembodiment of the disclosed system collecting data at three positions;

FIG. 11B illustrates an exemplary table storing the data collected inFIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing anapplication programming interface and software development kit todevelopers for the disclosed system;

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary methods of utilizing a user input includedas part of a wireless tag;

FIG. 13A illustrates exemplary methods of utilizing a user inputincluded as part of a wireless tag;

FIG. 13B illustrates exemplary methods of utilizing a user inputincluded as part of a wireless tag;

FIG. 14 illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed system;

FIG. 14A illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed system;

FIG. 14B illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed system;

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary RF-enabled object for wirelesscommunication with an electronic device or network;

FIG. 16 illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed RF-enabledobject system in an anti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 16A illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed RF-enabledobject system in an anti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 16B illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed RF-enabledobject system in an anti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 16C illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed RF-enabledobject system in an anti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 16D illustrates exemplary processes of the disclosed RF-enabledobject system in an anti-loss or anti-theft embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed RF-enabled object system;

FIG. 17A illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed RF-enabled object system; and

FIG. 17B illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed RF-enabled object system; and

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing anapplication programming interface and software development kit todevelopers for the disclosed system including both wireless tags andRF-enabled objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the followingdetailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and describedso that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. While thepresent disclosure is primarily directed to a wireless tag apparatus andmethods of linking or tracking an object by an associated wireless tag,it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may haverelevance to other linking, connecting, communicating, and tracking,mobile device and cloud applications.

Although a plurality of different embodiments are provided, oneexemplary, non-limiting example is illustrated in FIG. 1A. In thisexemplary, non-limiting embodiment, an electronic device 10, such as acellular phone, is provided. Electronic device includes a moduledetermining the current or last known position of electronic device 10.In some embodiments, the current or last position includes one or moreof the current or last known altitude, the current or last knownlatitude and longitude, and the current or last known speed ofelectronic device 10.

Also shown in the exemplary, non-limiting example illustrated in FIG.1A, an object 70, such as a wallet is attached to a wireless tag 40.Wireless tag 40 includes a radio transceiver in communication with aradio transceiver included in electronic device 10. Electronic device 10monitors the strength of the radio signal received from wireless tag 40to determine the distance between electronic device 10 and wireless tag40. When the object 70 and tag 40 are within a first distance 82 fromelectronic device 10, such as at point A, electronic device 10determines the status of wireless tag 40 to be “in range.” When theobject 70 and tag 40 are beyond the distance from electronic device 10,such as at point A, electronic device 10 determines the status ofwireless tag 40 to be “out of range.” When the status of wireless tag 40change from “in range” to “out of range,” either electronic device 10,wireless tag 40, or both alarm.

Also as shown in the exemplary non-limiting example illustrated in FIG.1A, electronic device periodically sends information relating to itscurrent or last known location and the status of wireless tag 40 to anexternal device 30, such as an external network or cloud data service.When the status of wireless tag 40 change from “in range” to “out ofrange,” electronic device 10 sends information relating to its currentor last known location and the change of status to the external device30. In this way, a user is given both an alarm when the change in statusoccurs, as well as a last known location for object 70 based on thestrength of the radio signal from tag 40 received by wireless device 10.

Referring next to FIG. 2, an exemplary electronic device 10 isillustrated. In one embodiment, electronic device 10 is a cellularphone. In another embodiment, electronic device 10 is a tablet or laptopcomputer or portable computing device. In still another embodiment,electronic device 10 is an electronic watch or wristband. In yet stillanother embodiment, electronic device 10 is a portable music player.Other suitable electronic devices, including but not limited to a pairof electronic glasses or sunglasses, may also be used.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, electronic device 10includes a plurality of hardware and software, including a controller28. Controller 28 includes logic which may control operating ofelectronic device 10. The logic of controller 28 may be implemented inhardware or in hardware executing software. Exemplary software may bestored in a memory 29. Memory 29 includes instructions executed bycontroller 28. Controller 28 may include one or more processors or otherstructures to implement the logic of controller 28.

Memory is a computer readable medium and may be a single storage deviceor may include multiple storage devices, located either locally withcontroller 28 or accessible across a network, or partially locally withcontroller 28 and partially on external device 30 accessible across anetwork 31. Computer-readable media may be any available media that maybe accessed by controller 28 and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia. Further, computer readable-media may be one or both of removableand non-removable media. By way of example, computer-readable media mayinclude, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, servers, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) orother optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich may be used to store the desired information and which may beaccessed by controller 28. In one embodiment, controller 28 communicatesdata, status information, or a combination thereof to a remote devicefor storage, analysis, or carrying out a predetermined command. Inanother embodiment, memory may further include operating systemsoftware. Memory further includes communications software forcommunication with a network, such as a local area network, a publicswitched network, a CAN network, and any type of wired or wirelessnetwork. An exemplary public switched network is the Internet. Exemplarycommunications software includes e-mail software, SMS, Bluetoothcommunication software, radio frequency communication software, nearfield communication software and internet browser software. Othersuitable software which permit controller 28 to communicate with otherdevices across a network may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, electronic device 10further includes user interface 22 comprising one or more I/O moduleswhich provide an interface between an operator or environment or both,and electronic device 10. Exemplary I/O modules include input membersand output members. Exemplary input members include buttons, switches,keys, a touch display, a microphone, a camera or other optical reader, akeyboard, a mouse, a transceiver, a sensor, and other suitable devicesor methods for providing information to controller. Exemplary outputdevices include lights, a display (such as a touch screen), printer,vibrator, speaker, visual devices, audio devices including alarm/speaker16, tactile devices, transceiver, and other suitable devices or methodsfor presenting information to an operator or a machine.

In one embodiment, electronic device 10 includes absolute position datareceiver 12 and absolute position module 14. Absolute position datareceiver 12 receives location-based data from external sources. In oneexemplary embodiment, absolute position data receiver 12 receives datafrom a combination of cellular towers, wireless networks including Wi-Finetworks, and global positioning systems (GPS). Absolute position module14 determines the location of electronic device 10 from the locationbased data received by absolute position data receiver 12. In anotherembodiment, absolute position module 14 determines the speed ofelectronic device 10 from the location based data received by absoluteposition data receiver 12. In one exemplary embodiment, absoluteposition data receiver 12 and absolute position module 14 are providedas part of the operating software of electronic device 10. In anotherexemplary embodiment, absolute position data receiver 12 and/or absoluteposition module 14 are included on a card, hardware, device or softwareprogram in communication with the operating software of electronicdevice 10.

In another exemplary embodiment, absolute position module 14 determinesthe latitude and longitude of electronic device 10. In still anotherexemplary embodiment, absolute position module 14 determines thealtitude of electronic device 10. In yet still another exemplaryembodiment, absolute position module 14 determines the speed ofelectronic device 10.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, electronic device 10includes radio transceiver 24. Radio transceiver 24 sends and receivesdata to and from other radio transceivers, including radio transceiver56 incorporated in wireless tag 40. In one embodiment, radio transceiver24 may comprise a single transceiver. In another embodiment, radiotransceiver 24 comprises a separate transmitter and receiver.

In one embodiment, radio transceiver 24 is a Bluetooth® transceiver thatoperates on Bluetooth protocols. As used herein, Bluetooth includesBluetooth, ULP Bluetooth (Ultra Low Power Bluetooth), BLE (Bluetooth LowEnergy), and other standards sets by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. In anotherembodiment, radio transceiver operates on RF protocols. In still anotherembodiment, radio transceiver 24 operates on NFC protocols. Othersuitable radio transceivers may also be used. In one embodiment, atleast some of the data exchanged is encrypted.

Bluetooth connections are relatively power efficient, have relativelylittle interference issues, are supported by a variety of phonemanufacturers and models, and allow bidirectional communication overrelatively long ranges. RFID and NFC connections may require lessexpensive components and may use less power from power supply 60 ofwireless tag 40 (see FIG. 1B).

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, electronic device 10includes distance monitor 26. In one embodiment, distance monitor 26monitors communication between radio transceiver 24 and wireless tag 40.In this embodiment, distance monitor 26 may determine the status of theconnection between electronic device 10 and wireless tag 40 to determineif the connection is dropped, broken, lost, or otherwise not present. Inanother embodiment, distance monitor 26 determines a distance betweenelectronic device 10 and wireless tag 40 based at least in part on thestrength of the signal received from wireless tag 40. In still anotherembodiment, controller 28 may compare the distance determined bydistance monitor 26 with a selected distance to alert the user if thedetermined distance exceeds the selected or predetermined distance. Inyet still another embodiment, controller 28 may compare the signalstrength with a desired signal strength from a user to alert the user ifthe signal strength is weaker than the desired signal strength. Inanother embodiment, controller 28 may compare the distance determined bydistance monitor 26 with a predetermined distance or predeterminedsignal strength, such as but not limited to a received signal strengthindicator, corresponding to a user input, such as but not limited to“Close,” “Mid,” or “Far.” In still another embodiment, controller 28 maycompare the signal strength with a desired signal strength from a userand alert the user if the signal strength is stronger than the desiredsignal strength.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, electronic device 10includes data transmitter 18 and data receiver 20. Data transmitter 18sends data to external device 30, and data receiver 20 receives datafrom external device 30. In one exemplary embodiment, radio transceiver24 also functions as data transmitter 18 and/or data receiver 20. Inanother exemplary embodiment, data transmitter 18 and data receiver 20are separate from radio transceiver 24. In one embodiment, datatransmitter 18 and data receiver 20 exchange data with external device30 using Wi-Fi standards, such as the IEEE802.11 family of standards orWiMAX standards, such as IEEE802.16. In another embodiment, data isexchanged using a wide area network standard, including but not limitedto, LTE, HPSA, UMTS, GPRS, EDGE, iBurst, EV-DO. In still anotherembodiment, data is exchanged using a personal area network standard,including, but not limited to Bluetooth, ZigBee, ANT, and Wireless USB.Other suitable mobile data standards may also be used. In anotherembodiment, wireless tag 40 saves data locally and later communicatesdata to wireless device 10 or external network 30 over a wiredconnection. Exemplary wired connections include a USB connection,although other suitable connections may also be used.

In one embodiment, at least one of the following communications channelsis encrypted: between radio transceiver 56 and controller 48, betweenwireless tag 40 and electronic device 10, between radio transceiver 24and controller 28, between electronic device 10 and external device 30,within components of external device 30, between external device 30 andan external user interface, such as user interface 522 (as illustratedin FIG. 12).

In one exemplary embodiment, data from data transmitter 18 and datareceiver 20 is exchanged with data on external device 30. Externaldevice 30 may comprise a single device or a plurality of devices incommunication with each other. In one embodiment, external device 30 isa machine capable of storing data, including, but not limited to acomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile electronicdevice, or a server. In another embodiment, external device 30 is anetwork capable of storing data, including but not limited to a localarea network, a public switched network, a CAN network, and any type ofwired or wireless network. In still another embodiment, external device30 is a network or cloud data service. As used herein, a cloud servicerefers to remotely hosted data, remotely hosted servers, or both overthe internet, web or a network which is accessible from multiplelocations and devices or machines. As used herein, the term includes atleast Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS),Hardware-as-a-Service, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) service, andother remote data computation, application, management, or storageresources. As used herein, network, refers to a local area network, aprivate network, a public switched network such as but not limited tothe Internet, a CAN network, and any type of wired or wireless network.

Referring next to FIG. 1B, an exemplary wireless tag 40 is illustrated.In one embodiment, wireless tag 40 includes user interface 54 comprisingone or more I/O modules which provide an interface between an operatorand wireless tag 40. An operator may include a human operator or acomputer, machine, or software application interfacing with wireless tag40, electronic device 10, or external device 30. Exemplary I/O modulesinclude input members and output members. Exemplary input membersinclude buttons, such as button 44, switches, keys, a touch display, akeyboard, a sensor, a mouse, and other suitable devices for providinginformation to controller 48. Exemplary output devices include lights, adisplay (such as a touch screen), printer, speaker, visual devices,audio devices including alarm 46, tactile devices, and other suitabledevices for presenting information to an operator.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, wireless tag 40includes a plurality of hardware and software, including a controller48. Controller 48 includes logic which may control operation of wirelesstag 40. The logic of controller 48 may be implemented in hardware or inhardware executing software. Exemplary software may be stored in amemory 49. Memory 49 includes instructions executed by controller 48, asdescribed for controller 28 above. Controller 48 may include one or moreprocessors or other structures to implement the logic of controller 48.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, wireless tag 40includes radio transceiver 56. Radio transceiver 56 sends and receivesdata from other radio transceivers, including radio transceiver 24incorporated in electronic device 10. In one embodiment, radiotransceiver 56 may comprise a single transceiver. In another embodiment,radio transceiver 56 comprises a separate transmitter and receiver.

In one embodiment, radio transceiver 56 is a Bluetooth® transceiver thatoperates on Bluetooth protocols. In another embodiment, radiotransceiver 56 operates on RF protocols. In still another embodiment,radio transceiver 56 operates on NFC protocols. Other suitable radiotransceivers may also be used. In one embodiment, at least some of thedata exchanged is encrypted.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B wireless tag 40includes distance monitor 58. In one embodiment, distance monitor 58monitors communication between radio transceiver 56 and electronicdevice 10. In another embodiment, distance monitor 58 may determine thestatus of the connection between electronic device 10 and wireless tag40 to determine if the connection is dropped, broken, lost, or otherwisenot present. In still another embodiment, distance monitor 58 maydetermine the distance or range between wireless tag 40 and electronicdevice 10.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, wireless tag 40includes data transmitter 50 and data receiver 52. Data transmitter 50and data receiver 52 function similarly to data transmitter 18 and datareceiver 20 of electronic device 10. Data transmitter 50 sends data toexternal device 30, and data receiver 52 receives data from externaldevice 30. In one exemplary embodiment, radio transceiver 56 alsofunctions as data transmitter 50 and/or data receiver 52. In anotherexemplary embodiment, data transmitter 50 and data receiver 52 areseparate from radio transceiver 56. In one embodiment, data transmitter50 and data receiver 52 exchange data with external device 30 asdescribed above. Other suitable mobile data standards may also be used.In one embodiment, at least some of the data exchanged is encrypted. Instill another exemplary embodiment, wireless tag 40 does not includedata transmitter 50 and/or data receiver 52.

In another embodiment, wireless tag includes power supply 60. Exemplarypower supplies 60 include rechargeable batteries, including but notlimited to nickel-cadmium and lithium ion batteries, andnon-rechargeable batteries. Other suitable power supplies 60 may also beused.

In still another embodiment, wireless tag 40 includes one or moresensors 42. Exemplary sensors 42 include, but are not limited to,temperature sensors, altimeters, barometers, pressure sensors, humiditysensors, chronometers, pedometers, accelerometers, level sensors, impactsensors, and compasses. Other suitable sensors may be used depending onthe desired application.

In yet still another embodiment, wireless tag 40 may include a GPS orother suitable location detection technologies (not shown). In thisembodiment, wireless tag 40 may communicate its position over at leastone of data transmitter 50 and radio transceiver 56. Using thecommunicated position information, a direction to wireless tag 40 may bedisplayed or communicated on user interface 22 or a user interfaceassociated with external device 30. In one embodiment, the direction maybe saved locally in memory 49 associated with the electronic device 10.In another embodiment, the direction may be communicated to the externaldevice 30 and saved in memory 29 associated with the electronic device10. In still another embodiment, the position may be saved locally inmemory 29 associated with the wireless tag data and later communicatedto wireless device 10 or external network 30 over a wired or wirelessconnection, such as network 31.

Although shown separately the modules shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 mayinclude one or more other modules.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, wireless tag 40 includes securingelement 72 to secure wireless tag to object 70. In one embodiment,object 70 is a person or animal. In another embodiment, object 70 is aninanimate physical object. In one embodiment, securing element 72includes a mechanical or chemical fastener to secure wireless tag 40 toobject 70. Other securing elements 72 may also be used. In anotherembodiment, wireless tag 40 is not secured to object 70, but ispositioned near, in, or on object 70, or in an environment. Otherpositions of wireless tag 40 in relation to object 70 may also be used.

Referring next to FIG. 2B, an exemplary wireless tag 40 is illustrated.The exemplary wireless tag 40 includes a button 44, plurality of lights74, and speaker 76 for alarm 46 as part of user interface 54. In otherembodiments, other suitable inputs and outputs may be used. Theexemplary wireless tag 40 also includes power socket 78 for rechargingpower supply 60. The exemplary wireless tag 40 also includes an area fordisplaying identifying information 80. In other embodiments, noinformation is displayed on wireless tag 40.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, wireless tag 40 hasa first dimension d1, a second dimension d₂, and a thickness d₃. In oneembodiment, first dimension and second dimension are about 0.5 cm toabout 10 cm, although larger and smaller sizes may also be used. Inanother embodiment, first dimension and second dimension are about 4 cmto about 5 cm. In still other embodiments, other suitable dimensionsdepending on the intended use may be used.

In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness d3 of wireless tags 40 isrelatively thin. In one embodiment, d3 is about 10 mm or less. Inanother embodiment, d3 is about 6 mm or less. In still anotherembodiment, d3 is more than about 10 mm. The thinner wireless tag 40 is,the less intrusively it can be attached to an object 70 for tracking. Inyet still another embodiment, d3 is about 5 mm or less. The thinnerwireless tag 40 is, the easier it can be stored in a wallet or purse.Thicker tags may be easier to manufacture and may require lowercomponent prices.

Referring next to FIG. 3, exemplary data collected by one embodiment ofthe disclosed system is illustrated. FIG. 3A illustrates collectingexemplary data at two positions, point 1 and point 2. In one embodiment,points 1 and 2 are physically spaced apart. In another embodiment,points 1 and 2 are at the same absolute location, but are recorded atdifferent points in time. FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary table 110storing the data collected in FIG. 3A. Exemplary data collected at point1 include the time, the absolute position and direction determined byelectronic device 10, the status of one or more wireless tags 40 as inrange/out of range as determined by the electronic device 10, data fromone or more sensors 42 attached to wireless tag 40, and the status ofany command executed by controllers 28 and/or 48. Other suitable datamay be collected and stored in table 110 as well. Similar data iscollected at point 2. In one embodiment, the data in table 110 may becollected by wireless tag 40. In another embodiment, the data in table110 may be collected by electronic device 10. In still anotherembodiment, the data in table 110 may be collected by a combination ofwireless tag 40 and electronic device 10.

The exemplary data collected at points 1 and 2 in FIG. 3A is stored inthe exemplary table illustrated in FIG. 3B. Table 110 may include moreor fewer columns and rows than in the exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 3. The different categories of data collected at each of point 1and point 2 are organized in columns 112. The data from each point isorganized in rows 114. In one embodiment, table 110 may be stored inmemory a network, including in the cloud. In another embodiment, thedata is stored locally in memory 29 on the electronic device 10 ormemory 49 on the wireless tag 40. In one embodiment, the data is storedat multiple locations that can be queried to create table 110. Inanother embodiment, the data in table 110 is stored in memory onexternal device 30. In one embodiment, the data in table 110 iscommunicated to external device 30 by data transmitter 18 in electronicdevice 10 or across network 31. In another embodiment, the data in table110 is communicated to external device 30 by data transmitter 50 inwireless tag 40. In still another embodiment, the data in table 110 iscommunicated to external device 30 by a combination of data transmitters18, 50. In one embodiment, table 110 is accessible to a user through aninternet browser or other software application. In another embodiment,table 110 data is presented directly to an operator, user, or machine.In still another embodiment, table 110 data is accessible through anapplication programming interface. In yet still another embodiment,table 110 data is accessible through a software development kit.

An exemplary method of using the disclosed system in an anti-loss oranti-theft embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 4-5. FIG. 4 illustratesexemplary data collected by an anti-loss or anti-theft embodiment of thedisclosed system. FIG. 4A illustrates collecting data at threepositions. Points 1, 2, and 3 may be physically spaced apart, or one ormore of points 1, 2, 3 may be at the same absolute location but recordedat different points in time. At points 1, 2, and 3, electronic device 10sends data to external device 30 indicating the identification ofelectronic device 10 and wireless tag 40, the time, the speed, theabsolute position of electronic device 10 as determined by absoluteposition module 14, and the status of wireless tag 40 as determined bydistance monitor 26. FIG. 4 illustrates wireless tag 40 being out ofrange at point 3. The circles at positions 1 and 2 indicate that thedistance between electronic device 10 and wireless tag 40 is less thanthe set allowable distance or range. The X at position 3 indicates thatwireless tag 40 is located more than the set allowable distance or rangefrom electronic device 10.

FIG. 4B illustrates a first exemplary table 140 storing the datacollected in FIG. 4A. In table 140, electronic device 10, wireless tag40, or both update data to external device 30 for every point 1, 2, 3.Therefore, table 140 includes a row for each of points 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 4C illustrates second exemplary table 150 storing the datacollected in FIG. 4A. In table 150, electronic device 10, wireless tag40, or both update data to external device 30 only when the statusindicates the distance or range between wireless tag 40 and electronicdevice 10 has exceeded the allowable distance or range. Using a tablesuch table 140 allows for historical tracking of where the electronicdevice 10 had been, allowing a user to retrace her location record.Using a table such as table 150 requires less storage capacity. In oneembodiment, the data in either table 140 or table 150 is also storedlocally in memory 29 associated with electronic device 10 or memory 49associated with wireless tag 40.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate exemplary processes 200, 220 of the disclosedsystem in an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment. In FIG. 5A, the block202 illustrates securing wireless tag 40 to object 70 that is to betracked. Block 204 illustrates associating wireless tag 40 withelectronic device 10. In one embodiment, block 204 includes selecting aname and/or icon for wireless tag 40. In another embodiment, associatingwireless tag 40 is performed through user interface 22 on electronicdevice 10. In block 206, a range or distance between wireless tag 40 andelectronic device 10 is selected. In one embodiment, the allowabledistance or range is a default value. In another embodiment, theallowable distance is selected from a plurality of default values. Inyet another embodiment, the distance is input by the user or machine. Instill yet another embodiment, a user selects from a list of rangechoices, such as but not limited to Close, Mid, and Far, each of whichis associated with a predetermined distance or signal strength. In block208, the connection between wireless tag 40 and electronic device 10 ismonitored by both controller 28 of electronic device 10 and controller48 of wireless tag 40. If the connection between radio transceiver 24and radio transceiver 56 is broken as shown in block 210, an alarm isactivated in block 216 and data is saved locally to electronic device 10and sent to external device 30 by data transmitter 18 of electronicdevice 10. In another embodiment (not shown) an additional predeterminedaction is taken or command is activated in addition to the alarm anddata communication. In one embodiment, the alarm in block 216 isalarm/speaker 16 of electronic device 10. In another embodiment, thealarm in block 216 is alarm 46 of wireless tag 40. In still anotherembodiment, the alarm in block 216 is the both alarm/speaker 16 andalarm 46. In one embodiment, the data sent to external device 30 inblock 218 includes at least one of position as determined by absoluteposition module 14, time, status as determined by distance monitor 26,and the last reading of sensor 42 received from wireless tag 40.

If in block 210 the connection is not broken, in block 212 the distancebetween electronic device 10 and wireless tag 40 as determined bydistance monitor 26 is monitored. As shown in block 214, if the distanceis less than the distance or range selected in block 206, the systemreturns to block 208 to monitor the connection. If the distance is notless than the set distance or range, an alarm is activated in block 216and data is saved locally to electronic device 10 and sent to externaldevice 30 as described above. In another embodiment (not shown) anadditional predetermined action is taken or command is activated inaddition to the alarm and data communication.

FIG. 5B illustrates a variant 220 of the exemplary anti-loss oranti-theft process described above. In the process illustrated in 5B, ifthe distance or range in block 214 is less than the distance selected inblock 206, in block 219 data is saved locally to electronic device 10and sent to external device 30 as in block 218 before returning to block208 to monitor the connection. The process of FIG. 5B will generate atable similar to table 150 illustrated in FIG. 4C, while the process ofFIG. 5A will generate a table similar to table 140 illustrated in FIG.4B.

In some embodiments of processes 200, 220, in block 206 a profile isselected, similar to FIGS. 16C and 16D. In one embodiment, a profile isa set settings, where each setting is an action based on a predeterminedcondition. Exemplary settings include whether to alarm or not based on apredetermined condition, such as the location, the time, thetemperature, etc. One exemplary setting is to disable the alarm duringthe weekends. Another exemplary setting is to disable the alarm in apredetermined location, such as a user's work. In these embodiments, ifthe connection is broken in block 210, or if the distance is less thanthe set range/distance in block 214, the system first determines whetherthe current profile settings allow for an alarm. If the profile allowsfor an alarm, the alarm is activated in block 216. If the profile doesnot allow for an alarm, the system returns to block 208 to monitor thesignal.

FIG. 6 illustrates a general exemplary process 230 for responding to apredefined command from controller 28 of electronic device 10 orcontroller 48 or wireless tag 40. Block 232 illustrates securingwireless tag 40 to object 70 that is to be tracked. Block 234illustrates associating wireless tag 40 with electronic device 10, as inblock 204 of FIG. 5.

In block 236, controller 28 monitors the data from radio transceiver 56for activation of a command. Exemplary commands include a panic alert,an exemplary illustration of which is given in FIG. 7 below, a findercommand, and a position record command. Each command includes anassociated predetermined action. The predetermined action may includemore than one action. For example, a finder command from controller 28may include the predetermined action of sounding alarm 46 for a shortperiod to allow a user to find wireless tag 40. A similar command fromcontroller 48 may allow a user to find electronic device 10. A readingcommand from controller 28 may include the predetermined action ofsending data from sensor 42 to transceiver 56 or transmitter 50 forrecording on electronic device 10 and/or machine/network/cloud. Aposition record command from controller 28 may include the predeterminedaction of sending the position as determined by module 14 for recordingon electronic device 10 and/or on external device 30. Other suitablecommands and predetermined actions may also be used. In block 238, if nocommand has been initiated, the system returns to block 236 to monitorfor a command. If a command has been initiated, in block 240 thepredetermined action is taken.

Similarly, in block 242, controller 48 monitors the data from radiotransceiver 24 for activation of a command. Exemplary commands includethe commands given for controller 28 above. Each command includes anassociated predetermined action, as described for controller 28 above.In block 244, if no command has been initiated, the system returns toblock 236 to monitor for a command. If a command has been initiated, inblock 246 the predetermined action is taken.

In another embodiment, controller 48 may activate a command such as inFIG. 6 due to a reading of sensor 42 or the result of comparing thereading of sensor 42 to a predetermined value.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate exemplary processes 250, 270 of the disclosedsystem in a panic-mode embodiment. In process 250, block 252 illustratessecuring wireless tag 40 to object 70 that is to be tracked. Block 254illustrates associating wireless tag 40 with electronic device 10, as inblock 204 of FIG. 5. In block 256, controller 28, monitors the data fromradio transceiver 24 for activation of Panic Alert Mode. In block 258,if no command has been initiated, the system returns to block 256 tomonitor for a command. If a command has been initiated, in block 260, atleast one of alarms 16, 46 is activated, data including position asdetermined by module 14 is stored locally and sent to external device30, and in block 264 an alert is sent to at least one predeterminedcontact. In another embodiment (not shown) an additional predeterminedaction is taken or command is activated in addition to the alarm anddata communication. The predetermined contact may be an emergencycontact number, a law enforcement number, or a personal contact. Inanother embodiment, the contact may be a phone number or email addressor other contact information. The alert may include time of modeactivation, position as determined by module 14, time, and/or status asdetermined by distance monitor 26, and/or the reading of sensor 42.

FIG. 7B illustrates a variant 270 of the exemplary panic alert processdescribed above. In the process illustrated in 7B, the predeterminedaction includes in block 266 selecting a contact list based in part onthe current location as determined by module 14 or the time, and inblock 268 sending an alert as in block 264, but to the contact listselected in block 266. In one embodiment, the selection in block 266 isbased on a pre-selected set of criteria defined by the user. In anotherembodiment, the selection in block 266 is a default set of criteria. Instill another embodiment, the selection in block 266 is from a defaultset of contacts, such as emergency contact numbers, and the selection isbased at least in part on the current location as determined by module14. In another embodiment, the selection is based at least in part onthe current time.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrates exemplary processes 280, 310 of thedisclosed system in a marketing embodiment. FIG. 8A illustrates anexemplary process 280 for giving a promotion based on finding aplurality of objects 70 each attached to a wireless tag 40. In block282, a plurality of wireless tags 40 are attached to a plurality ofobjects 70 or placed in a plurality of different locations. In oneexemplary embodiment, the tags are then spaced apart from each other. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the tags are spaced around a building orgeographical area. In block 284, each wireless tag 40 is associated witha first device and a set distance or range for each wireless tag 40 isselected. In one exemplary embodiment, first device is electronic device10. In another exemplary embodiment, first device is amachine/network/cloud in communication with data transmitters 50 anddata receivers 52 or wireless tags 40.

In block 286, a user with a second device approaches one of wirelesstags 40. In one exemplary embodiment, second device is an electronicdevice 10. In another exemplary embodiment, user must search the area tofind objects 70 attached to wireless tags 40. As the second deviceapproaches a wireless tag 40, in block 288, the distance betweenwireless tag 40 and second device is monitored by distance monitor 26 onsecond device and/or distance monitor 58 on wireless tag 40. In block290, if the distance determined by distance monitor 26 or distancemonitor 58 is more than the set distance or range given in step 284, thesystem returns to step 288 to monitor the distance. If the distance isless than the set distance or range, then in step 292, data regardingthe “find” is saved locally on the first device and sent to externaldevice 30. In step 294, an alert is displayed on second device, alertingthe user that she has “found” the tag 40, and a status relating to thattag 40 on external device 30 is updated. In one embodiment, blocks 286through 294 are repeated for multiple wireless tags 40. In anotherembodiment, multiple users with multiple electronic devices 10 eachperform blocks 286 through 294.

In step 296, the system determines whether all tags 40 have been found.In one exemplary embodiment, the determination is made based on whetherthe tags 40 have been found by any user. In another exemplaryembodiment, the determination is made based on whether the second devicehas found all of the tags 40. In still another exemplary embodiment, thedetermination is made based on a predetermined number of tags 40 thatmust be found. In yet still another exemplary embodiment, the tags 40may be found by one or more users. If all tags 40 have not been found,then the system returns to block 286 and the user holding the seconddevice approaches a second tag 40. If the system determines in block 296that all tags 40 have been found, then a promotion is displayed on auser interface of second device, such as user interface 22 of electronicdevice 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the promotion is a discount orcoupon, or a reward or point credit in a rewards or point system. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the promotion is an advertisement. Instill another exemplary embodiment, the promotion depends upon how manytags 40 were found by the user or how quickly tags 40 were found by theuser. In yet still another exemplary embodiment, the promotion is analert that all tags 40 have been found. Other suitable promotions mayalso be used.

FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary process 310 for providing a promotionalgame based on finding a plurality of categories of objects 70, eachobject attached to a wireless tag 40. In block 312, a plurality ofwireless tags 40 are attached to a plurality of objects 70 or placed ina plurality of different locations. In one exemplary embodiment, thetags 40 are then spaced apart from each other. In another exemplaryembodiment, the tags 40 are spaced around a building or geographicalarea. In block 314, each wireless tag 40 is categorized into one or morecategories based on the object 70 attached to it or location it isplaced in, and a distance or range is set for each category. In anotherembodiment, a time is set for each category, and the tags 40 associatedwith the category must be found within that time or the electronicdevice 10 must be within the distance or range for that amount of time.In block 316, a list of categories is provided to a device. In oneexemplary embodiment, device is an electronic device 10.

In block 318, a user with device approaches one of wireless tags 40. Inanother exemplary embodiment, user must search the area to find objects70 attached to wireless tags 40. As the device approaches a wireless tag40, in block 320, the distance between wireless tag 40 and device ismonitored by distance monitor 26 on device and/or distance monitor 58 onwireless tag 40. In block 324, if the distance determined by distancemonitor 26 or distance monitor 58 is more than the distance or range setin step 314, the system returns to step 320 to monitor the distance. Ifthe distance is less than the set distance or range, then in step 326the system determines whether the object category status is “found” fordevice. In one exemplary embodiment, this determination is performed bycontroller 28 on electronic device 10. If the category is already“found,” then the system returns to block 318 to find another tag 40. Ifthe category is not “found,” in block 328, data regarding the “find” issaved locally on the device and sent to external device 30. An alert isdisplayed on second device, alerting the user that she has “found” thecategory, and a status relating to that tag 40 on external device 30 isupdated. In another embodiment, rewards or points are earned by a useror group of users based on predetermined game or event rules orregulations.

In step 332, the system determines whether all categories defined inblock 316 have been found. In one exemplary embodiment, thedetermination is made based on whether the categories have been found byany user. In another exemplary embodiment, the determination is madebased on whether the device has found all the categories. In stillanother exemplary embodiment, the determination is made based on apredetermined number of categories that must be found. If all categorieshave not been found, then the system returns to block 318 and the userholding the device approaches a second tag 40. If the system determinesin block 332 that all categories have been found, then in block 334 analert is displayed on a user interface of device, such as user interface22 of electronic device 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the alert is apromotion such as a discount or coupon. In another exemplary embodiment,the alert is an advertisement. In still another exemplary embodiment,the alert depends upon how many categories were found by the user or howquickly categories were found by the user or by point values associatedwith each category found by the user. In yet still another exemplaryembodiment, the alert gives the user a reward or points in apredetermined system. Other suitable alerts may also be used.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate exemplary processes 340, 360 of the disclosedsystem in a health-care patient monitoring embodiment. In FIG. 9A, block342 illustrates securing wireless tag 40 to a patient that is to betracked. Block 204 illustrates associating wireless tag 40 withelectronic device 10. In one embodiment, block 344 includes selecting aname and/or icon for wireless tag 40. In another embodiment, associatingwireless tag 40 is performed through user interface 22 on electronicdevice 10. In block 346, a distance or range between wireless tag 40 andelectronic device 10 is selected. In one embodiment, the set distance orrange is a default value. In another embodiment, the distance or rangeor time is selected from a plurality of default values. In yet anotherembodiment, the distance or range is input by the user. In block 348,the connection between wireless tag 40 and electronic device 10 ismonitored by both controller 28 of electronic device 10 and controller48 of wireless tag 40. If the connection between radio transceiver 24and radio transceiver 56 is broken as shown in block 350, an alarm isactivated in block 216 and data is saved locally to electronic device 10and sent to external device 30 by data transmitter 18 of electronicdevice 10. In one embodiment, the alarm in block 356 is alarm/speaker 16of electronic device 10. In another embodiment, the alarm in block 356is alarm 46 of wireless tag 40. In still another embodiment, the alarmin block 356 is the both alarm/speaker 16 and alarm 46. In oneembodiment, the data sent to external device 30 in block 358 includes atleast one of position as determined by absolute position module 14,time, status as determined by distance monitor 26, and the last readingof sensor 42 received from wireless tag 40.

If in block 350 the connection is not broken, in block 352 the distancebetween electronic device 10 and wireless tag 40 as determined bydistance monitor 26 is monitored. As shown in block 354, if the distanceor range is less than the distance or range selected in block 346, thesystem returns to block 348 to monitor the connection. If the distanceor range is more than the set distance or range, an alarm is activatedin block 356 and data is saved locally to electronic device 10 and sentto external device 30 as described above.

FIG. 9B illustrates a variant 360 of the exemplary health care patientmonitoring embodiment described above. In the process illustrated inFIG. 9B, if the distance in block 354 is less than the distance selectedin block 346, in block 359 data is saved locally to electronic device 10and sent to external device 30 as in block 358 before returning to block348 to monitor the connection.

An exemplary method of using the disclosed system in an athleticcompetition embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10-11. FIG. 10illustrates exemplary athletic competition processes 370 of thedisclosed system. In block 372, wireless tag 40 is secured to anathletic participant who is to be tracked. Exemplary athleticparticipants include, but are not limited to, runners, skiers,motorsport drivers, and other suitable participants. Wireless tag 40 maybe secured to the participant or a group of participants, to theparticipant's gear or equipment, or in another suitable location. Block374 illustrates associating wireless tag 40 with a first electronicdevice 10 and setting a distance or range. In one embodiment, block 374includes selecting a name and/or icon for wireless tag 40. In anotherembodiment, associating wireless tag 40 is performed through userinterface 22 on electronic device 10. In one embodiment, the setdistance or range is a default value. In another embodiment, thedistance or range is selected from a plurality of default values. In yetanother embodiment, the allowable distance or range is input by theuser. In block 376, the distance between electronic device 10 andwireless tag 40 as determined by distance monitor 26 is monitored. Asshown in block 378 if the distance or range is less than the distance orrange selected in block 206, the system returns to block 376 to monitorthe connection. In one embodiment, data is uploaded to external device30 in block 380. Exemplary data may include any combination of time,position, speed, sensor readings, and status. If the distance is lessthan the set distance or range, in block 382, the participant is alertedby wireless tag 40. In one exemplary embodiment, the alert is throughalarm 46. In another exemplary embodiment, the alert is through userinterface 54. Other suitable alerts may also be used. In block 384, datais uploaded to external device 30 as in block 380.

Block 386 illustrates associating wireless tag 40 with a secondelectronic device 10 and setting a second distance or range, similar toblock 374. In one embodiment, all associating steps are performedtogether. In another embodiment, the same set distance or range is usedfor all associating steps. In block 388, the distance between electronicdevice 10 and wireless tag 40 as determined by distance monitor 26 ismonitored. As shown in block 390 if the distance is less than thedistance selected in block 206, the system returns to block 376 tomonitor the connection. In one embodiment, data is uploaded to externaldevice 30 in block 392. If the distance is less than the set distance orrange, in block 394, the participant is alerted by wireless tag 40. Inone exemplary embodiment, the alert is through alarm 46. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the alert is through user interface 54. Othersuitable alerts may also be used. In block 396, data is uploaded toexternal device 30 as in block 392.

FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary data collected by an athletic competitionembodiment of the disclosed system. FIG. 11A illustrates collecting dataat three positions, points 1, 2, and 3, which may be physically spacedapart from each other. In FIG. 11A, a race starts at point 1, passesthrough point 2, and ends at point 3. At each of points 1, 2, and 3, astationary electronic device 10 sends data to external device 30indicating the identification of electronic device 10 and wireless tag40, the absolute position of electronic device 10 as determined byabsolute position module 14, and the status of wireless tag 40 asdetermined by distance monitor 26. FIG. 11B illustrates exemplary table420 for storing the data collected in FIG. 11A. In one embodiment, thetable 420 is also stored locally in memory 29 associated with electronicdevice 10 or in memory 49 associated with wireless tag 40. In table 420,electronic device 10, wireless tag 40, or both update data to externaldevice 30 for each point 1, 2, 3. Table 420 stores data showing whenwireless tag 40 and attached participant entered and left a rangedefined by the set distance or range around the electronic device 10 ateach of points 1, 2, and 3.

In an alternative athletic competition embodiment, not shown, theathletic participants are provided with electronic device 10 and awireless tag 40 is positioned at each of points 1, 2, and 3. In thisembodiment, the data communicated to external device 30 for each point1, 2, 3, may include the speed of the device 10 at each point. Inanother embodiment, each tag 40 periodically collects data fromelectronic devices 10 in range and uploads data to the external device30. The data may include, but are not limited to, status of electronicdevices 10 as in range or out of range, distance to the tag 40, signalstrength, absolute position of the electronic device 10 (which mayinclude latitude, longitude, and altitude), time, and speed of theelectronic device 10. Other suitable arrangements may also be used.

FIG. 12 illustrates providing an API to developers for the disclosedsystem to allow developers the ability to create their own software andapplications on top of the system. Providing an API allows developers tocreate customized and creative applications based on the systemarchitecture 500. Also, it allows developers to distribute and monetizetheir software and applications or, indirectly, their other products andservices. Within the exemplary system architecture 500 illustrated inFIG. 12, a first wireless tag 502 and a second wireless tag 504 areprovided. In one embodiment, first wireless tag 502 and second wirelesstag 504 are both wireless tags 40 as previously described. Wireless tag502 is not attached to an object 70. Wireless tag 504 is attached toobject 70 with securing element 72. Additional wireless tags may also beprovided. Wireless tags 502, 504 are in communication with electronicdevice 510. In one embodiment, electronic device 510 is an electronicdevice 10 as previously described. Electronic device 510 includes asoftware program or application for communicating with wireless tags502, 504 and/or a machine/network/cloud 520. In one embodiment,machine/network/cloud 520 is an external device 30. The software programor application includes a user interface 512. In one embodiment, userinterface 512 is user interface 22. Machine/network/cloud also includesa user interface 522. In one embodiment, user interfaces 512, 522provide access to data, programs, and applications stored locally onelectronic device 510 and machine/network/cloud 520.

In one embodiment, user interface 522 allows a user to view, query,organize, and categorize data stored on external device 30, 520 gatheredthrough data sent by electronic devices 510 and wireless tags 502, 504.In another embodiment, user interface 522 can be used to initiatecommands or activate alarms on wireless tags 502, 504, and electronicdevice 510. In still another embodiment, user interface 522 allows auser to lock, remotely backup or wipe reset electronic device 510 havinga software program or application for communicating with wireless tags502, 504.

In one exemplary embodiment, system architecture 500 includes an API530. API 530 is in communication with machine/network/cloud 520 andelectronic device 510. In one embodiment, API 530 provides access to oneor more of developers 532 to data stored on machine/network/cloud 520and/or electronic device 510. Using this access, developers 532 cancreate a plurality of applications 540. In another embodiment,developers 532 use API to integrate applications 540 as part of system500 in presentation to users through user interfaces 512, 522.

In another exemplary embodiment, system architecture 500 includes asoftware development kit (SDK) 550. In one embodiment, SDK 550 includestools that may be used by software developers in developing softwareapplications 540. In another embodiment, SDK 550 is in communicationwith machine/network/cloud 520 and electronic device 510. Asillustrated, SDK 550 may also be in communication with API 530. In oneembodiment, SDK 550 provides access to a plurality of developers 552 todata stored on machine/network/cloud 520, electronic device 510, and/orAPI 530. Using this access, developers can create a plurality ofapplications 540.

Applications 540 may be downloaded by users to their electronic devicesuch as that shown in 510, to a machine/network/cloud such as that shownin 520, or reside on a machine/network/cloud and accessed through a webbrowser or other suitable software and/or user interface from anelectronic device, such as 510, or a server. In one exemplaryembodiment, the electronic device could be connected to or integratedinto another suitable object or device such as, but not limited to,clothing, sporting goods, food, medicine, medical devices, furniture,livestock, animals, cars, packaging, or luggage.

In still another exemplary embodiment, developers 532 can use systemarchitecture 500 to distribute and monetize their applications 540 tousers. A variety of monetization strategies are considered, includingproviding applications for free to increase awareness, providing aseries of paid advertisements with a free application, providing a freebasic version and a fee premium version of an application, providingonly a fee version of an application, and providing a free version butprovide opportunities to purchase additional features, subscriptions,goods, or services within the application. Other suitable strategies mayalso be used.

In one exemplary embodiment, a method of distributing wireless tags 502,504 is disclosed. In one embodiment, wireless tags 502, 504 are providedfree of charge to clients for use with a free software program orapplication for an electronic device 510. The hardware of wireless tags502, 504 and data communications of wireless tags 502, 504 may beencrypted. The wireless tags 502, 504 and electronic device 510 providedata to a machine/network/cloud 520 as described above. Clients aregranted limited access to the data for a fee. In one exemplaryembodiment, a fee, such as a periodic or monthly fee, is charged foraccess to data regarding a wireless tag 502 or 504. Other exemplary feesinclude one-time, subscription, and pay-as-you-go fees. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a periodic fee for each wireless tag 502, 504allows the client access to the API 530 for creating applications 540for data from the paid wireless tags 502, 504. In still anotherexemplary embodiment, applications 540 through API 530 allow commands tobe executed from user interface 512 or user interface 522 accessible tothe client through an internet webpage or a similar medium. In yet stillanother exemplary embodiment, different tiers of access tomachine/network/cloud 520 and software on electronic device 510 areprovided to different clients, where each tier has an associatedperiodic fee. Combination of all of the strategies disclosed may also beused.

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary methods of utilizing a user input 610included as part of wireless tag 40. An exemplary wireless tag 40 isillustrated as including user input 610. Exemplary user inputs 610include buttons, touch screens, remote-touch and touchless surfaces.Other suitable user inputs, such as those described with regard to userinterface 54, may also be used.

An exemplary process for taking a predetermined action 620 isillustrated in FIG. 13A. Block 622 illustrates associating wireless tag40 with a device, such as electronic device 10 or external device 30, asin block 204 of FIG. 5. In block 624, controller 28 monitors the datasent from radio transceiver 56 received by radio transceiver 24 for apredetermined signal. Controller 48 commands radio transceiver 56 tosend the predetermined signal upon a signal received from user input610. In one embodiment, user input 610 sends the signal to controller 48upon user input 610 being touched a single time. In another embodiment,user input 610 sends the signal to controller 48 upon user input 610being touched one or more times. Being touched may include a userpressing or clicking user input 610 as a button, or touching or pointingto user input 610 as an icon on a screen. In block 626, if controller 48does not detect the predetermined signal, the system returns to block624 to monitor. If the signal is received, in block 628 a predeterminedaction is taken. Predetermined actions may include, but are not limitedto, recording data on electronic device 10, sending data to externaldevice 30, recording data from sensor 42, recording the location ofelectronic device 10, purchasing an item, sending or receiving apayment, or sounding alarm 16 or alarm 46.

An exemplary process 630 for associating wireless tag 40 with a device,such as electronic device 10 or external device 30 is illustrated inFIG. 13B. If wireless tag 40 is to be secured to an object, block 632illustrates securing wireless tag 40 to object 70. In anotherembodiment, wireless tag 40 is not secured to an object 70, and block632 is omitted. In block 634, wireless tag 40 is associated withelectronic device 10. In block 636, controller 28 monitors the data sentfrom radio transceiver 56 received by radio transceiver 24 for apredetermined signal. In one embodiment, controller 48 commands radiotransceiver 56 to send the predetermined signal upon a signal receivedfrom user input 610. User input 610 sends the signal to controller 48upon user input 610 being touched. Being touched may include a userpressing or clicking user input 610 as a button, or touching or pointingto user input 610 as an icon on a screen. In block 638, if controller 48does not detect the predetermined signal, the system returns to block624 to monitor. If the signal is received, in block 640 controller 48associates wireless tag 40 with external device 30. In anotherembodiment, a controller and radio transceiver associated with externaldevice 30 perform as controller 48 and radio transceiver 48 above andassociates wireless tag 40 with external device 30.

FIG. 14 illustrates an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment of thedisclosed system. In FIG. 14 A, wireless tags 40A, 40B are less than apredetermined distance or range 82 from electronic device 10. In FIG.14B, wireless tag 40B is more than a predetermined distance or range 82from electronic device 10. Alarm 16 on electronic device 10 and alarm 46on tag 40B are activated, while alarm 46 on tag 40A is not activated.

In another embodiment, an electronic device 10 may activate alarm 46when a wireless tag 40 returns to within a predetermined distance orrange of electronic device 10. This embodiment may be used withpreviously associated or unassociated tags. In one embodiment, apreviously associated tag 40 is attached to a piece of luggage, which isthen taken out of the predetermined distance or range from electronicdevice 10. When tag 40 and attached luggage re-enter the predetermineddistance or range from electronic device 10, such as in a baggage claimarea for example, either alarm 16 on electronic device 10 or alarm 46 ontag 40 or both are activated.

Referring next to FIG. 15, an exemplary embodiment of an RF-enabledobject 84 according to the present disclosure is disclosed. TheRF-enabled object 84 is similar to the combination of the wireless tag40 coupled to the object 70 described in FIG. 2A above. Similar towireless tag 40, RF-enabled object 84 in some embodiments includescontroller 48′ controlling radio transceiver 56′ and power supply 60′.RF-enabled object 84 may additional include memory 49′. Memory 49′includes instructions executed by controller 48′. Radio transceiver 56′sends and/or receives data from other radio transceivers, includingradio transceiver 24 incorporated in electronic device 10. In oneembodiment, radio transceiver 56′ is a Bluetooth® transceiver thatoperates on Bluetooth protocols. In another embodiment, radiotransceiver 56′ operates on RF protocols. In still another embodiment,radio transceiver 56′ operates on NFC protocols. Other suitable radiotransceivers may also be used. In one embodiment, at least some of thedata exchanged is encrypted. Exemplary RF-enabled objects 84 includeBluetooth, NFC or RF enabled devices such as phones, tablets, goggles,watches, electronics, and other suitable objects.

Similar to wireless tag 40, RF-enabled object 84 may include one or moreof sensors 42′, a user interface 54′ comprising one or more I/O modulesincluding alarm 46′ and button 44′, distance monitor 58′, datatransmitter 50′, and data receiver 52′. In yet still another embodiment,RF-enabled object 84 may include a GPS or other suitable locationdetection technologies (not shown).

RF-enabled object 84 collects status and position data similar to thepreviously described ways wireless tag 40 collects status and positiondata. Exemplary data include data similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 corresponding to the RF-enabled object 84 rather than wireless tag40. Other exemplary data include the time, the absolute position anddirection determined by electronic device 10, the status of one or moreRF-enabled objects 84 as in range/out of range as determined by theelectronic device 10, data from one or more sensors 42′ attached to orintegrated in RF-enabled object 84, and the status of any commandexecuted by controllers 28 and/or 48′.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate exemplary processes 700, 720 of theRF-enabled object 84 system in an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment.Process 700 for RF-enabled object 84 is similar to process 200 forwireless tag 40 discussed above in relation to FIG. 5A. Process 720 forRF-enabled object 84 is similar to process 220 for wireless tag 40discussed above in relation to FIG. 5B.

In FIG. 16A, the block 704 illustrates associating RF-enabled object 84with electronic device 10. In one embodiment, block 704 includesselecting a name and/or icon for RF-enabled object 84. In anotherembodiment, associating RF-enabled object 84 is performed through a userinterface 22 on electronic device 10. In block 706, a range or distancebetween RF-enabled object 84 and electronic device 10 is selected. Inblock 708, the connection between RF-enabled object 84 and electronicdevice 10 is monitored by both controller 28 of electronic device 10 andcontroller 48′ of RF-enabled object 84. If the connection between radiotransceiver 24 and radio transceiver 56′ is broken as shown in block710, an alarm is activated in block 716 and data is saved in block 718.If in block 710 the connection is not broken, in block 712 the distancebetween electronic device 10 and RF-enabled object 84 as determined bydistance monitor 26 is monitored. As shown in block 714, if the distanceis less than the distance or range selected in block 706, the systemreturns to block 708 to monitor the connection. If the distance is notless than the set distance or range, an alarm is activated in block 716and data is saved locally to electronic device 10 and sent to externaldevice 30 as described above. In another embodiment (not shown) anadditional predetermined action is taken or command is activated inaddition to the alarm and data communication.

FIG. 16B illustrates a variant process 720 of the exemplary anti-loss oranti-theft process described above. In the process illustrated in FIG.16B, if the distance or range in block 714 is less than the distanceselected in block 706, in block 719 data is saved locally to electronicdevice 10 and sent to external device 30 as in block 718 beforereturning to block 708 to monitor the connection.

FIGS. 16C and 16D illustrate additional variant process 722, 724 of theexemplary anti-loss or anti-theft processes 700, 720 of FIGS. 16A and16B. Process 722 is similar to process 700, and process 724 is similarto process 720. In both processes 722 and 724, in block 707, in additionto the range or distance between RF-enabled object 84 and electronicdevice 10 is selected as in block 706 of FIG. 16A, a profile isselected. In one embodiment, a profile is a set settings, where eachsetting is an action based on a predetermined condition. Exemplarysettings include whether to alarm or not based on a predeterminedcondition, such as the location, the time, the temperature, etc. Oneexemplary setting is to disable the alarm during the weekends. Anotherexemplary setting is to disable the alarm in a predetermined location,such as a user's work. In these embodiments, if the connection is brokenin block 710, or if the distance is less than the set range/distance inblock 714, block 724 first determines whether the current profilesettings allow for an alarm. If the profile allows for an alarm, thealarm is activated in block 716 as in FIG. 16A. If the profile does notallow for an alarm, the system returns to block 708 to monitor thesignal.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an anti-theft or anti-loss embodiment ofthe disclosed system for RF-enabled objects 84 similar to FIGS. 14A and14B for wireless tags 40. In FIG. 17A, RF-enabled objects 84, 86 areless than a predetermined distance or range 82 from electronic device10. In FIG. 17B, RF-enabled object 86 is more than a predetermineddistance or range 82 from electronic device 10. Alarm 16 on electronicdevice 10 and alarm 46′ on RF-enabled object 86 are activated, whilealarm 46′ on RF-enabled object 84 is not activated. In one embodiment,at least one of electronic device 10 and RF-enabled object 86 update andsave the time alarm 46′ was activated and the location of electronicdevice 10 when alarm 46′ was activated to an external device 30.

The exemplary processes illustrated in FIGS. 5-11 may similarly beimplemented using RF-enabled object 84 in place of wireless tag 40secured to an object 70.

FIG. 18 illustrates a system architecture 560 similar systemarchitecture 500 to that illustrated in FIG. 12. Within the exemplarysystem architecture 560, both wireless tags 40 and RF-enabled objects 84and 86 are provided. Additional wireless tags 40 and RF-enabled objects84 may also be provided. RF-enabled objects 84, 86, and wireless tag 40are in communication with electronic device 510′. In one embodiment,electronic device 510′ is an electronic device 10 as previouslydescribed. Electronic device 510′ includes a software program orapplication for communicating with RF-enabled objects 84, 86, wirelesstag 40, and a machine/network/cloud 520′. In one embodiment,machine/network/cloud 520′ is an external device 30.

The software program or application includes a user interface 512′. Inone embodiment, user interface 512′ is user interface 22.Machine/network/cloud 520′ also includes a user interface 522′. In oneembodiment, user interfaces 512′, 522′ provide access to data, programs,and applications stored locally on electronic device 510′ andmachine/network/cloud 520′.

In one embodiment, user interface 522′ allows a user to view, query,organize, and categorize data stored on external device 520′ gatheredthrough data sent by electronic devices 510′, RF-enabled objects 84, 86,and wireless tag 40. In another embodiment, user interface 522′ can beused to initiate commands or activate alarms on RF-enabled objects 84,86, wireless tag 40, and electronic device 510′. In still anotherembodiment, user interface 522′ allows a user to lock, program thedevice, initiate an action, remotely backup or wipe reset electronicdevice 510′ having a software program or application for communicatingwith wireless tags 40.

In one exemplary embodiment, system architecture 560 includes an API530′. API 530′ is similar to API 530 described in relation to FIG. 12.In another exemplary embodiment, system architecture 560 includes asoftware development kit (SDK) 550′. SDK 550′ is similar to SDK 550described in relation FIG. 12.

Applications 540′ may be downloaded by users to their electronic devicesuch as that shown in 510′, to a machine/network/cloud such as thatshown in 520′, or reside on a machine/network/cloud for access through aweb browser or other suitable software and/or user interface from anelectronic device, such as 510′, or a server.

In one exemplary embodiment, system architecture 560 allows for accessto RF-enabled objects 84, 86 for use in application 540′. Themachine/network/cloud 520′ can be configured to grant access or setpermissions to allow certain users access to modules or allow differentusers different types or levels of access of RF-enabled objects 84, 86,including sensors 42′, alarms 46′, controllers 48′, data transmitters50′, data receivers 52′, user interface 54′, radio transceiver 56′,distance monitor 58′, and power supply 60′, and other suitable modules.Additional suitable modules include, but are not limited to, cameras andmicrophones. Applications 540′ can be thus designed to use the modulesof RF-enabled objects 84, 86.

In another exemplary embodiment, system architecture 560 allows for auser to set one or more sets of permissions based on the current statusof one or more modules of wireless tags 40, 502, 504, and RF-enabledobjects 84, 86, including sensors 42 42′, alarms 46 46′, controllers 4848′, data transmitters 50 50′, data receivers 52 52′, user interface 5454′, radio transceiver 56 56′, distance monitor 58 58′, and power supply60 60′.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first set of users is provided permissionsto access the certain recorded data from wireless tag 40 or RF-enabledobject 84 when under a first condition, and a second set of users isprovided permissions to access the certain recorded data from wirelesstag 40 or RF-enabled object 84 when under a second condition.

In a more particular embodiment, only the owner of electronic device 10is granted access to view a history of locations and times recorded fromelectronic device 10, wireless tags 40, or RF-enabled objects 84 as longas wireless tags 40 or RF-enabled objects 84 do not exceed apredetermined distance from electronic device 10. If the predetermineddistance from electronic device 10 has been exceeded, a larger group ofusers, for examples friends, authorities, co-workers, or otherdesignated individuals or groups to whom the owner has selected, canthen access the history of locations and times recorded from electronicdevice 10, wireless tags 40, or RF-enabled objects 84 from the alarmposition forward in time. In this way, the friends can assist the ownerin locating or recovering the wireless tag 40 or RF-enabled object 84which was taken beyond the predetermined distance.

In another more particular embodiment, once a wireless tag 40 or activedevice 84 has exceeded a predetermined distance from electronic device10, wireless tag 40 or active device 84 is configured to be detectableby multiple radio transceiver systems. Thus, an unassociated radiotransceiver 24 or data receiver 20 associated with a second electronicdevice 10 in communication with external device 30 is able to detect apredetermined radio signal or type of signal from wireless tag 40 oractive device 84 and upload and save the current location of thewireless tag 40 or active device 84 to the external device 30. In thisway, the location of wireless tag 40 or active device 84 can be updatedon the external device 30 or machine/network/cloud 520 520′, allowingthe owner of wireless tag 40 or active device 84 to monitor its locationeven when wireless tag 40 or active device 84 is not in contact withelectronic device 10.

While this invention has been described as relative to exemplarydesigns, the present invention may be further modified within the spiritand scope of this disclosure. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for detecting placement or misplacementof an object, the system comprising: a wireless tag associated with theobject; a first set of instructions stored in a first non-transitorystorage medium, the first set of instructions, when executed by one ormore processors in a first electronic device associated with thewireless tag, cause the one or more processors in the first electronicdevice to automatically: detect one or more signals from the wirelesstag; determine a position of the first electronic device; determine astatus of the wireless tag in response to a strength or absence of theone or more signals detected by the first electronic device, the statusindicating that the wireless tag and the first electronic device arewithin a predetermined range or that the wireless tag and the firstelectronic device are outside the predetermined range; transmit theposition of the first electronic device and the status to an externalelectronic device in response to the status indicating that the wirelesstag and the first electronic device are within the predetermined range;and transmit the position of the first electronic device and the statusto the external electronic device in response to the status indicatingthat the wireless tag and the first electronic device are outside of thepredetermined range; a second set of instructions stored in a secondnon-transitory storage medium, the second set of instructions, whenexecuted by one or more processors in a second electronic device that isunassociated with the wireless tag, cause the one or more processors inthe second electronic device to automatically: detect one or moresignals from the wireless tag; determine a position of the secondelectronic device; determine an identifier for the wireless tag usingthe one or more signals from the wireless tag; and transmit the positionof the second electronic device and the identifier to the externalelectronic device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless tagincludes a controller configured to: monitor signals communicated withthe first electronic device; determine, in response to a strength orabsence of signals communicated with the first electronic device and thewireless tag, that the wireless tag and the first electronic device arewithin a predetermined range or that the wireless tag and the firstelectronic device are outside the predetermined range; and render thewireless tag detectable by the second electronic device in response todetermining that the wireless tag and the first electronic device areoutside the predetermined range.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined range is a user-defined range.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the external electronic device is configured to communicate theposition of the second electronic device to the first electronic device.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first set of instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors in the first electronic deviceassociated with the wireless tag, cause the one or more processors inthe first electronic device to communicate a way to the wireless tagusing the position of the second electronic device.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the external electronic device is configured tocommunicate the position of the second electronic device to the firstelectronic device in response to the status transmitted by the firstelectronic device indicating that the wireless tag and the firstelectronic device are outside of the predetermined range.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein the wireless tag is a first wireless tag, whereinthe system further comprises a second wireless tag associated with thesecond electronic device and unassociated with the first electronicdevice, and wherein the second set of instructions, when executed by theone or more processors in the second electronic device, cause the one ormore processors in the second electronic device to automatically: detectone or more signals from the second wireless tag; determine a status ofthe second wireless tag in response to a strength or absence of the oneor more signals detected by the second electronic device, the statusindicating that the second wireless tag and the second electronic deviceare within a predetermined range or that the second wireless tag and thesecond electronic device are outside the predetermined range; transmitthe position of the second electronic device and the status of thesecond wireless tag to the external electronic device in response to thestatus of the second wireless tag indicating that the second wirelesstag and the second electronic device are within the predetermined range;and transmit the position of the second electronic device and the statusof the second wireless tag to the external electronic device in responseto the status of the second wireless tag indicating that the secondwireless tag and the second electronic device are outside of thepredetermined range.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first set ofinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors in the firstelectronic device, cause the one or more processors in the firstelectronic device to automatically: detect one or more signals from asecond wireless tag unassociated with the first electronic device;determine an identifier for the second wireless tag using the one ormore signals from the second wireless tag; and transmit the position ofthe first electronic device and the identifier for the second wirelesstag to the external electronic device.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinthe wireless tag is configured to transmit encrypted signals to thefirst electronic device and to the second electronic device.
 10. Asoftware module for detecting placement or misplacement of a pluralityof objects associated with a plurality of wireless tags using aplurality of electronic devices, the software module comprisinginstructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory storage medium that,when executed by one or more processors of each of the plurality ofelectronic devices, cause the one or more processors in each electronicdevice of the plurality of electronic devices to: communicate signalswith a radio transceiver of one or more wireless tags of the pluralityof wireless tags; determine a position of the electronic device;determine a status for the one or more wireless tags of the plurality ofwireless tags in response to a strength or absence of signals receivedby the electronic device from the one or more wireless tags, each statusindicating that a particular wireless tag and the electronic device arewithin a predetermined range or that the particular wireless tag and theelectronic device are outside of the predetermined range; communicatedata for each wireless tag of the plurality of wireless tags associatedwith the electronic device to an external network in response to thestatus for each of the one or more wireless tags associated with theelectronic device indicating that the one or more wireless tagsassociated with the electronic device and the electronic device areoutside the predetermined range, the data including: the position of theelectronic device; and the status for each of the one or more wirelesstags associated with the electronic device; and communicate data foreach wireless tag of the plurality of wireless tags associated with theelectronic device to the external network in response to the status foreach of the one or more wireless tags associated with the electronicdevice indicating that the one or more wireless tags associated with theelectronic device and the electronic device are within the predeterminedrange, the data including: the position of the electronic device; andthe status for each of the one or more wireless tags associated with theelectronic device; and communicate data for each wireless tag of theplurality of wireless tags unassociated with the electronic device tothe external network in response to the status for each of the one ormore wireless tags unassociated with the electronic device indicatingthat the one or more wireless tags unassociated with the electronicdevice and the electronic device are within the predetermined range, thedata including: the position of the electronic device; and the statusfor each of the one or more wireless tags unassociated with theelectronic device.
 11. The software module of claim 10, wherein the datafor each wireless tag of the plurality of wireless tags unassociatedwith the electronic device includes: an identifier for the each of theone or more wireless tags unassociated with the electronic device; and atime indicator for each of the one or more wireless tags unassociatedwith the electronic device, the time indicator identifying when thedetermined status for the wireless tag indicated that the wireless tagand the electronic device are within the predetermined range.
 12. Thesoftware module of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed bythe one or more processors of each electronic device, further cause theone or more processors to activate a user interface of the electronicdevice in response to determining that a status for one or more of thewireless tags has changed.
 13. A method for detecting placement ormisplacement of objects using a distributed network, the methodcomprising: receiving a first set of data from a first electronicdevice, the first set of data indicating a position of the firstelectronic device and a first status of a wireless tag, the first statusindicating that the wireless tag and the first electronic device arewithin a predetermined range; receiving a second set of data from thefirst electronic device, the second set of data indicating a position ofthe first electronic device and a second status of the wireless tag, thesecond status indicating that the wireless tag and the first electronicdevice are outside the predetermined range; receiving a set of data froma second electronic device, the set of data from the second electronicdevice indicating a position of the second electronic device and anidentifier of the wireless tag, the set of data from the secondelectronic device being automatically generated by the second electronicdevice in response to the second electronic device and the wireless tagbeing within the predetermined range; and transmitting to the firstelectronic device the position of the second electronic device as aposition of the wireless tag.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thewireless tag is associated with the first electronic device and isunassociated with the second electronic device.
 15. The method of claim13, further comprising transmitting to a third electronic device theposition of the second electronic device as a position of the wirelesstag.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting to the thirdelectronic device the position of the second electronic device as theposition of the wireless tag is performed in response to the secondstatus of the wireless tag indicating that the wireless tag and thefirst electronic device are outside the predetermined range.
 17. Asystem for detecting placement or misplacement of an object, the systemcomprising: a wireless tag associated with the object, the wireless tagincluding an internal power source and a radio transceiver; andinstructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory storage medium that,when executed by one or more processors in a first electronic device,cause the one or more processors to: communicate signals with the radiotransceiver of the wireless tag using a radio transmitter in the firstelectronic device; determine a position of the first electronic device;determine a status of the wireless tag in response to a strength orabsence of signals received by the first electronic device from thewireless tag, the status indicating when the wireless tag and the firstelectronic device are within a predetermined range and when the wirelesstag and the first electronic device are outside of the predeterminedrange; communicate data, including the position of the first electronicdevice and the status to an external electronic device or network inresponse to the status indicating that the wireless tag and theelectronic device are within the predetermined range; and communicatedata, including the position of the first electronic device and thestatus to the external electronic device or network in response to thestatus indicating that the wireless tag and the electronic device areoutside the predetermined range, wherein the instructions are a firstset of instructions, the system further comprising a second set ofinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors in a secondelectronic device, cause the second electronic device to automatically:communicate signals with the radio transceiver of the wireless tag usinga radio transmitter in the second electronic device when the wirelesstag and the second electronic device are within a predetermined range;determine a position of the second electronic device; determine anidentifier of the wireless tag using the communicated signals; andcommunicate the determined identifier and the position of the secondelectronic device to the external electronic device or network.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the determined status includes a time recordindicating a time when the wireless tag and the first electronic deviceare within a predetermined range or a time when the wireless tag and thefirst electronic device are outside of the predetermined range.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the wireless tag is incorporated into theobject.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the first set ofinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further causethe one or more processors to: determine a status of the secondelectronic device in response to a strength or absence of signalsreceived by the first electronic device from the second electronicdevice, the status indicating when the second electronic device and thefirst electronic device are within a predetermined range and when thesecond electronic device and the first electronic device are outside ofthe predetermined range.
 21. The system of claim 17, wherein thewireless tag includes a controller configured to monitor the signalscommunicated with the first electronic device and to render the wirelesstag detectable to the second electronic device by communicating signalswith the second electronic device in response to determining that thewireless tag and the first electronic device are outside thepredetermined range.